Complexes

ABSTRACT

A complex of formula (1), 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein, M is palladium or nickel, R 1  and R 2  are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R 1  and R 2  are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom, R 3  is selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl, R 4  is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, X is an anionic ligand. A process for the preparation of the complex, and its use in carbon-carbon or carbon-nitrogen coupling reactions is also provided.

The present invention relates to transition metal complexes and, inparticular, to π-allyl complexes, such as π-allylpalladium andπ-allylnickel complexes. The invention also relates to the use of thetransition metal complexes in coupling reactions.

In many transitions metal mediated reactions, the active catalyst isformed in situ by the additional of a transition metal precursor, suchas Pd(OAc)₂ or Pd₂(dba)₃, and the ligand in question. In theseprocesses, an excess amount of ligand is usually required, which can bedisadvantageous if the cost of the ligand is high, in addition tostorage and handling difficulties if the ligand is air sensitive.

As an alternative to preparing the active catalyst in situ, it ispossible to prepare pre-formed transition metal complexes which comprisea well-defined transition metal atom to ligand ratio.

WO99/47474 and WO01/16057 (both to Ciba Speciality Chemicals HoldingsInc.) describe various allylpalladium complexes containing tertiaryphosphine ligands. The ligands exemplified are trialkylphosphineligands.

The present inventors have developed complexes which overcome problemsassociated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have discovered a class of π-allylpalladium andπ-allylnickel complexes, which may be employed to effect a variety ofreactions, such as C—N and C—C bond formation reactions. In certainembodiments, the π-allyl complexes are highly active catalysts. Incertain embodiments, the π-allyl complexes are stable to air andmoisture at ambient temperatures.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a complex of formula (1)

wherein,M is palladium or nickel,R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, orR₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted andunsubstituted metallocenyl,R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,X is an anionic ligand.

In addition, described more fully below is a process to prepare thecomplexes, as well as processes that employ such complexes.

DEFINITIONS

The point of attachment of a moiety or substituent is represented by“—”. For example, —OH is attached through the oxygen atom.

“Alkyl” refers to a straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbongroup. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group may have from 1-20 carbonatoms, in certain embodiments from 1-15 carbon atoms, in certainembodiments, 1-8 carbon atoms. Unless otherwise specified, the alkylgroup may be attached at any suitable carbon atom and, if substituted,may be substituted at any suitable atom. The alkyl group may beunsubstituted or substituted. Typical alkyl groups include but are notlimited to methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl,sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl and the like.

The term “cycloalkyl” is used to denote a saturated carbocyclichydrocarbon radical. In certain embodiments, the cycloalkyl group mayhave from 3-15 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments, from 3-10 carbonatoms, in certain embodiments, from 3-8 carbon atoms. Unless otherspecified, the cycloalkyl group may be attached at any suitable carbonatom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Thecycloalkyl group may unsubstituted or substituted. Typical cycloalkylgroups include but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.

“Alkoxy” refers to an optionally substituted group of the formulaalkyl-O— or cycloalkyl-O—, wherein alkyl and cycloalkyl are as definedabove.

“Alkoxyalkyl” refers to an optionally substituted group of the formulaalkoxy-alkyl-, wherein alkoxy and alkyl are as defined above.

“Aryl” refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group. The aryl group may havea single ring or multiple condensed rings. In certain embodiments, thearyl group can have from 6-20 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments from6-15 carbon atoms, in certain embodiments, 6-12 carbon atoms. The arylgroup may be unsubstituted or substituted. Unless otherwise specified,the aryl group may be attached at any suitable carbon atom and, ifsubstituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Examples of arylgroups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyland the like.

“Arylalkyl” refers to an optionally substituted group of the formulaaryl-alkyl-, where aryl and alkyl are as defined above.

“Halo” or “hal” refers to —F, —Cl, —Br and —I.

“Heteroalkyl” refers to a straight-chain or branched saturatedhydrocarbon group wherein one or more carbon atoms are independentlyreplaced with one or more heteroatoms (e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorusand/or sulfur atoms). The heteroalkyl group may be unsubstituted orsubstituted. Unless otherwise specified, the heteroalkyl group may beattached at any suitable atom and, if substituted, may be substituted atany suitable atom. Examples of heteroalkyl groups include but are notlimited to ethers, thioethers, primary amines, secondary amines,tertiary amines and the like.

“Heterocycloalkyl” refers to a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon groupwherein one or more carbon atoms are independently replaced with one ormore heteroatoms (e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and/or sulfuratoms). The heterocycloalkyl group may be unsubstituted or substituted.Unless otherwise specified, the heterocycloalkyl group may be attachedat any suitable atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at anysuitable atom. Examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include but are notlimited to epoxide, morpholinyl, piperadinyl, piperazinyl, thirranyl,pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl,thiomorpholinyl and the like.

“Heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group wherein one or morecarbon atoms are independently replaced with one or more heteroatoms(e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and/or sulfur atoms). The heteroarylgroup may be substituted or unsubstituted. Unless otherwise specified,the heteroaryl group may be attached at any suitable atom and, ifsubstituted, may be substituted at any suitable atom. Examples ofheteroaryl groups include but are not limited to thienyl, furanyl,pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl,isoxazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiophenyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridinyl,pyrimidyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolyl,quinolinyl and the like.

“Substituted” refers to a group in which one or more hydrogen atoms areeach independently replaced with substituents (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or more)which may be the same or different. Examples of substituents include butare not limited to -halo, —C(halo)₃, —R^(a), ═O, ═S, —O—R^(a), —S—R^(a),—NR^(a)R^(b), ═NR^(a), ═N—OR^(a), —CN, —SCN, —NCS, —NO₂, —C(O)—R^(a),—COOR^(a), —C(S)—R^(a), —C(S)OR^(a), —S(O)₂OH, —S(O)₂—R^(a),—S(O)₂NR^(a)R^(b), —O—S(O)—R^(a) and —CONR^(a)R^(b); wherein R^(a) andR^(b) are independently selected from the groups consisting of H, alkyl,aryl, arylalkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, or R^(a) and R^(b) togetherwith the atom to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl group,and wherein R^(a) and R^(b) may be unsubstituted or further substitutedas defined herein.

“Metallocenyl” refers to a transition metal complex group wherein atransition metal atom or ion is “sandwiched” between two rings of atoms.The metallocenyl group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Unlessotherwise specified, the metallocenyl group may be attached at anysuitable atom and, if substituted, may be substituted at any suitableatom. Examples of transition metal atoms or ions include but are notlimited to chromium, manganese, cobalt nickel and iron. An example of asuitable ring of atoms is a cyclopentadienyl ring. An example of ametallocenyl group includes but is not limited to ferrocenyl, whichcomprises a Fe(II) ion sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl rings,wherein each cyclopentadienyl ring may be independently unsubstituted orsubstituted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a complex of formula (1)

wherein,M is palladium or nickel,R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, orR₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted andunsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl andsubstituted and unsubstituted metallocenyl,R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,X is an anionic ligand.

The metal M is a precious metal selected from palladium or nickel. Inone particularly preferred embodiment, M is palladium.

When M is palladium, M may be Pd(II). When M is nickel, M may be Ni(II).

PR₁R₂R₃ is a monodentate tertiary phosphine ligand. In one embodiment,R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting ofsubstituted and unsubstituted straight-chain alkyl, substituted andunsubstituted branched-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstitutedcycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted andunsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected fromsulfur, nitrogen and oxygen. R₁ and R₂ may independently be substitutedor unsubstituted branched- or straight-chain alkyl groups such asmethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl,tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl orstearyl, cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl or adamantly, or aryl groups such as phenyl, naphthyl oranthracyl. In one embodiment, the alkyl groups may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br orI) or alkoxy groups, e.g. methoxy, ethoxy or propoxy. The aryl group maybe optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- orbranched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy),straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino),heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups, such asmorpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). Suitablesubstituted aryl groups include but are not limited to4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl,4-methoxyphenyl and 4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl. Substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl groups such as pyridyl may also be used. In analternative embodiment, R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structurewith the phosphorus atom, preferably 4- to 7-membered rings. Preferably,R₁ and R₂ are the same and are tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl orsubstituted phenyl groups. More preferably, R₁ and R₂ are bothtert-butyl.

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted andunsubstituted metallocenyl.

In one embodiment, R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl. The arylgroup may be optionally substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4,or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- orbranched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy),substituted or unsubstituted aryl, straight- or branched-chain(dialkyl)amino (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀heterocycloalkyl groups, such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) ortri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). In one embodiment, R₃ is preferably phenylor 2-, 3- or 4-dimethylaminophenyl.

In another embodiment, R₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl,for example, substituted or unsubstituted furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl,pyridinyl or quinolinyl.

In an alternative embodiment, R₃ is a substituted or unsubstitutedmetallocenyl group. The metallocenyl group may have a structure offormula (2):

wherein,R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms,p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, andq is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Metallocenyl groups of formula (2) are described in WO02/11883 which isincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

R₁₀ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably 1-15 carbonatoms, more preferably 1-10 carbon atoms and even more preferably 1-8carbon atoms. The number of R₁₀ groups range from 0 to 4 i.e. p is 0, 1,2, 3 or 4. In certain embodiments, p is 0. When p is 2, 3 or 4, each R₁₀may be the same or different.

R₁₀ may be substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, (alkyl)HN—,(dialkyl)N—, (dialkyl)amino-alkyl- or alkoxyalkyl. The substituted orunsubstituted alkyl group may be a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀alkyl group, preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl andmore preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, which may bebranched or straight-chain, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl,n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or stearyl. The aryl group may be substituted withone or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl,Br or I), straight- or branched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g.C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy), straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. (C₁-C₁₀dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups,such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—).Suitable aryl groups are phenyl, napthyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl, or2-, 3- or 4-halophenyl. The substituted or unsubstituted (alkyl)HN—group may be substituted or unsubstituted methylamino, ethylamino orpropylamino. The substituted or unsubstituted (dialkyl)N— group may bedimethylamino, diethylamino or dipropylamino. The substituted orunsubstituted (dialkyl)amino-alkyl- group may be 1-dialkylaminoethyl.The substituted or unsubstituted alkoxyalkyl group may be methoxymethyl,or 1-alkoxyethyl, such as methoxyethyl or ethoxyethyl.

R₁₁ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably 1-10 carbonatoms and more preferably 1-8 carbon atoms. The number of R₁₁ groupsranges from 0 to 5 i.e. q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. In certain embodiments,q is 4 or 5. When q is 2, 3, 4, or 5, each R₁₁ may be the same ordifferent.

R₁₁ may be substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl. The substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl group may be a substituted or unsubstitutedC₁-C₂₀ alkyl group, preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₁₀alkyl and more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl,which may be branched or straight-chain, such as methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or stearyl. The aryl groupmay be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4,or 5) substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), straight- orbranched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy),straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g. C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino),heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkyl groups, such asmorpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g. F₃C—). Suitablearyl groups are phenyl, napthyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or4-halophenyl, 2- 3- or 4-methylphenyl or 2-, 3- or 4-F₃C-phenyl.

In one preferred embodiment, the metallocenyl group has a structure offormula (3):

wherein R₁₁ and q are as defined above. In another preferred embodiment,R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, napthyl, 2-, 3- or4-methoxyphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-halophenyl, 2- 3- or 4-methylphenyl or 2-,3- or 4-F₃C-phenyl, and q is 4 or 5. In yet another preferredembodiment, R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 2-, 3-or 4-methoxyphenyl, 2- 3- or 4-methylphenyl or 2-, 3- or 4-F₃C-phenyl,and q is 4 or 5.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the metallocenyl group has astructure of formula (4):

In one especially preferred embodiment, PR₁R₂R₃ is:

(a) the sterically demanding electron rich QPhos ligand i.e. R₁ and R₂are tert-butyl and R₃ is a metallocenyl group of formula (4);(b) Amphos i.e. R₁ and R₂ are tert-butyl and R₃ is4-dimethylaminophenyl; or(c) P^(t)Bu₂Ph i.e. R₁ and R₂ are tert-butyl and R₃ is phenyl.

The M atom in the complex of formula (1) is coordinated to an optionallysubstituted allyl group. R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbonatoms, preferably 1-10 carbon atoms and more preferably 1-8 carbonatoms. The number of R₄ groups ranges from 0 to 5 i.e. n is 0, 1, 2, 3,4 or 5. When n is 2, 3, 4 or 5, each of R₄ may be the same or different.In certain embodiments, when n is 2, 3, 4, or 5, each R₄ is the same. Incertain embodiments, n is 0 i.e. the allyl group is unsubstituted. Incertain embodiments, n is 1. In certain embodiments, n is 2, whereineach R₄ is the same or different.

R₄ may be selected from the group consisting of substituted andunsubstituted straight-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstitutedbranched-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl,substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted and unsubstitutedheteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from sulfur, nitrogenand oxygen. In one embodiment, R₄ is selected from the group consistingof substituted and unsubstituted straight-chain alkyl, substituted andunsubstituted branched-chain alkyl, and substituted and unsubstitutedcycloalkyl. In another embodiment, R₄ is selected from the groupconsisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted andunsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected fromsulfur, nitrogen and oxygen. R₄ may be substituted or unsubstitutedbranched- or straight-chain alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl,n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl or stearyl, cycloalkylgroups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl oradamantly or aryl groups such as phenyl, naphthyl or anthracyl. In oneembodiment, the alkyl groups may be optionally substituted with one ormore substituents such as halide (F, Cl, Br or I), alkoxy groups, e.g.methoxy, ethoxy or propoxy. The aryl group may be optionally substitutedwith one or more (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5) substituents such as halide (F,Cl, Br or I), straight- or branched-chain alkyl (e.g. C₁-C₁₀), alkoxy(e.g. C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy), straight- or branched-chain (dialkyl)amino (e.g.C₁-C₁₀ dialkyl)amino), heterocycloalkyl (e.g. C₃₋₁₀ heterocycloalkylgroups, such as morpholinyl and piperadinyl) or tri(halo)methyl (e.g.F₃C—). Suitable substituted aryl groups include but are not limited to2-, 3- or 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methylphenyl, 2,3- or3,5-dimethylphenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-methoxyphenyl and4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl. Substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylgroups such as pyridyl may also be used. In one embodiment, each R₄ isindependently a methyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl group.

Suitable optionally substituted allyl groups as coordinated to the Matom are shown below:

In the complex of formula (1), X is an anionic ligand. In oneembodiment, X is a halo group, preferably, Cl, Br, I, and morepreferably, Cl.

In one embodiment, the complex of formula (1) is a complex of formula(1a):

wherein,R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, orR₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted andunsubstituted aryl, and substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl,R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably substitutedor unsubstituted aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylwherein the heteroatoms are selected from sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen,n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,X is an anionic ligand.

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n and X are as described above.

In another embodiment, the complex of formula (1) is a complex offormula (1b):

wherein,R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, orR₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted andunsubstituted metallocenyl, preferably a metallocenyl of formula (2),R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,X is an anionic ligand.

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n and X are as described above.

Preferred complexes of formula (1) are:

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for thepreparation of a complex of formula (1),

comprising the step of reacting a complex of formula (5) with PR₁R₂R₃,

wherein,M is palladium or nickel,R₁ and R₂ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbon atoms, orR₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ring structure with the phosphorus atom,R₃ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl and substituted orunsubstituted metallocenyl,R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms,n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,X is an anionic ligand.M, R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n and X are as described above.

The complex of formula (5) may be prepared according to known methods(see, for example, a) Marion, N.: Navarro, O.; Mei, J.; Stevens, E. D.;Scott, N. M.; Nolan, S. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 4101. b) Auburn,P. R.; Mackenzie, P. B.; Bosnich, B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1985, 107, 2033.c) Dent, W. I.; Long, R.; Wilkinson, G. J. Chem. Soc. 1964, 1585. d)Nicholson, J. K.; Powell, J.; Shaw, B. L. J. Chem. Soc.; Chem. Commun.1966, 174) each of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety for all purposes. Suitable complexes of formula (5) include:

In one embodiment, the complexes of formula (5) include:

The complex of formula (5) and PR₁R₂R₃ may be combined in a solvent. Inthis case, the solvent is any suitable aprotic solvent or combination ofaprotic solvents. Examples of aprotic solvents are toluene, benzene,tetrahydrofuran (THF), dichloromethane (DCM), dioxane, acetone,acetonitrile, dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methylpyrrolidine (NMP),dimethylacetamide (DMAc), methyltertbutylether (MTBE), diethylether,hexane, heptane, pentane or ethylacetate. Preferred solvents are THF,toluene, DCM or a combination thereof. The concentration of the complexof formula (5) in the solvent is preferably about 0.001 mol/L to about0.25 mmol/L and more preferably, about 0.03 mol/L to about 0.22 mol/L.

Any suitable quantity of PR₁R₂R₃ may be used, although it is preferredthat the molar ratio of the complex of formula (5): PR₁R₂R₃ is fromabout 1:2.0 to about 1:2.2. If desired PR₁R₂R₃ may be used in the formof a salt, for example, a tetrafluoroborate salt.

The reaction is preferably carried out under an inert atmosphere, suchas nitrogen or argon.

The process of the invention may be carried out at a temperature in therange of about −10° C. to about 60° C., preferably about 0° C. to about35° C. and more preferably at about room temperature (i.e. about 20° C.to about 30° C.). It is preferred that the temperature is maintainedbelow the decomposition temperature and so when the complexes of formula(5) or (1) are known to decompose within the temperature ranges givenabove, the temperature should be maintained below the decompositiontemperature.

The reaction may be carried out for a period of from about severalminutes to about 24 hours. Usually the reaction is complete in about 18hours. On completion, a proportion of the solvent may be evaporated ifdesired prior to recovery of the complex. Furthermore, if desired ananti-solvent (e.g. an alkane, such as hexane) may be used to precipitatethe complex from the solvent. The complex product may be recovereddirectly by filtering, decanting or centrifuging.

Howsoever the complex is recovered, the separated complex may be washedand then dried. Drying may be performed using known methods, for exampleat temperatures in the range 10-60° C. and preferably 20-40° C. under1-30 mbar vacuum for 1 hour to 5 days. If desired the complex may berecrystallised.

The catalysts of the present invention may be used for carbon-carboncoupling reactions. Examples of carbon-carbon coupling reactions includethe Heck or Suzuki reactions, ketone α-arylation reactions and aldehydeα-arylation reactions. The catalysts of the present invention may alsobe used for carbon-nitrogen coupling reactions, such as theHartwig-Buckwald reaction.

In certain embodiments, the π-allyl complexes are highly activecatalysts. In certain embodiments, the π-allyl complexes are stable toair and moisture at ambient temperatures. In one preferred embodiment,the π-allyl complexes Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosClexhibit high activity and/or stability to air and moisture at ambienttemperatures. In particular, Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl has been identified asbeing a highly active, air-stable catalyst in Pd-catalysed C—N bondformations involving primary and secondary amines, with low catalystloadings, short reaction times, using aryl and heteroaryl halidesranging from iodides to chlorides.

The invention will now be described by way of example only and withreference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an X-ray crystal structure of Pd(π-cinnamyl)QPhosCl.

FIG. 2 is an X-ray crystal structure of Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl

FIG. 3 is an X-ray crystal structure of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl.

EXAMPLES

All solvents and reagents were purchased from commercial sources andused as received. All catalysts, ligands or precious metal precursorswere obtained from Johnson Matthey Catalysis or Alfa Aesar. Flashchromatography was performed on a Flashmaster Personal (Biotage) usingprepacked ISOLUTE silica gel cartridges. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra wererecorded on a Bruker 400 MHz spectrometer at ambient temperature inCDCl₃ or C₆D₆ (Sigma Aldrich). All reactions were carried out inindividual Schlenk tubes under a nitrogen atmosphere. The purity of theisolated products was >95% as determined by ¹H NMR, GC/MS or elementalanalysis.

Example 1 General Procedure for the Preparation of [Pd(OptionallySubstituted (R₄)_(n)-allyl)(X)]₂ Complexes

Distilled H₂O in a three-necked roundbottom flask was purged withnitrogen for 30 minutes. PdCl₂ and KCl were subsequently added to theflask and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Then,optionally substituted (R₄)_(n)-allyl chloride was added and theresulting reaction mixture stirred at room temperature overnight (18-20hrs). The reaction was extracted with chloroform, and the aqueous layerwashed with chloroform three times. The organic layers were combined,dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude productwas recrystallised from chloroform and methyl tert-butyl ether, and theresulting solid was isolated by filtration and dried in vacuo.

[Pd(π-cinnamyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol); cinnamyl chloride(1.39 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). The dimer was obtained as a yellowsolid (494 mg, 58%).

[Pd(π-1-crotyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol); crotyl chloride(0.97 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). The dimer was obtained as a yellowsolid (636 mg, 97%).

[Pd(π-prenyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol);1-chloride-3-methyl-2-butene (1.13 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). Thedimer was obtained as a yellow solid (606 mg, 87%).

[Pd(π-prenyl)Cl]₂

PdCl₂ (590 mg, 3.33 mmol); KCl (473 mg, 6.67 mmol);3-chloride-2-methyl-1-propene (0.98 mL, 9.99 mmol); H₂O (83 mL). Thedimer was obtained as a yellow solid (269 mg, 41%).

General Procedure for the Preparation of Pd(π-Optionally) SubstitutedR₄)_(n)-alkyl)(PR₁R₂R₃)(X) Complexes

The [Pd(π-optionally substituted (R₄)_(n)-allyl)Cl]₂ and the PR₁R₂R₃ligand were put in a Schlenk flask. The flask was evacuated andbackfilled with nitrogen three times, then the solvent was added. Thereaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for the indicated timeand then the solvent was removed in vacuo. The resulting solid wastriturated with anhydrous hexane and the solid isolated by filtrationand dried in vacuo to give the desired palladium complex. The structuresof the various complexes prepared in this manner may be represented asfollows:

Pd(π-cinnamyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-cinnamyl)Cl]₂ (74 mg, 0.14 mmol); QPhos (223 mg, 0.31 mmol); THF(2.8 mL); 18 hrs. Product obtained as a pink solid (233 mg, 86%); ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.48-7.46 (m, 2H, CH2=CH—CH—C₆H₅), 7.37-7.35 (m, 3H,CH2=CH—CH—C₆H₅), 7.14-7.03 (m, 25H, H—Ar), 5.68-5.60 (m, 1H,CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 5.20 (dd, J 13.2, 9.6, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 5.08 (br s,1H, Cp-H), 4.84-4.81 (m, 1H, Cp-H), 4.53 (app. s, 2H, Cp-H), 4.02 (br s,1H, CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 2.79 (br s, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—C₆H₅), 1.27-1.07 (m, 18H,PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 136.4, 135.1, 132.6, 128.6, 128.3,127.4, 126.5, 107.3, 87.7, 68.0, 53.9, 30.7; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ67.4. Elemental analysis, found: C, 70.39; H, 5.93; Cl, 3.52; P, 3.18;(theoretical C, 70.60; H, 5.82; Cl, 3.66; P, 3.19).

Single crystals of Pd(cinnamyl)QPhosCl were obtained by slow diffusionof 40-60 petroleum ether into a CH₂Cl₂ solution, respectively, at −18°C. (see FIG. 1).

Pd(π-crotyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-crotyl)Cl]₂ (200 mg, 0.51 mmol); QPhos (798 mg, 1.12 mmol); THF(10 mL); 18 hrs. The complex was obtained as a pink solid (891 mg, 96%);¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.15-7.03 (m, 25H, H—Ar), 5.34 (br s, 1H,Cp-H), 5.09-5.00 (m, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃, Cp-H), 4.54-4.53 (m, 2H, Cp-H),4.49-4.39 (m, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃), 3.77 (d, J 6.4, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃),2.54 (d, J 11.6, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃), 1.74 (dd, J 8.4, 6.8, 3H,CH₂═CH—CH—CH₃), 1.17 (t, J 13.2, 18H, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ135.2, 132.6, 127.3, 126.5, 113.2, 103.0, 102.7, 87.7, 80.8, 80.1, 52.2,37.8, 30.6; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 65.{tilde over (0)}. Elementalanalysis, found: C, 68.90; H, 6.16; Cl, 3.77; P, 3.40; (theoretical: C,68.81; H, 6.00; Cl, 3.91; P, 3.41).

Single crystals of Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl were obtained by slow diffusionof 40-60 petroleum ether into an EtOAc solution at −18° C. (see FIG. 2).

Pd(π-prenyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-prenyl)Cl]₂ (200 mg, 0.48 mmol); QPhos (751 mg, 1.06 mmol); THF(10 mL); 18 hrs. Product obtained as a pink solid (867 mg, 98%); ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.19-7.04 (m, 25H, {tilde over ( )} C6H5), 5.44 (brs, 1H, Cp-H), 4.94-4.81 (m, 2H, CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂, Cp-H), 4.51 (s, 2H,Cp-H), 3.52 (d, J 6.8, 1H CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 2.71 (d, J 12.0,CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 1.80 (d, J 8.4, 3H, CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 1.62 (t, J 7.2, 3H,CH₂═CH—(CH₃)₂), 1.24 (d, J 14.4, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃), 1.15 (d, J 14.4, 9H,PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 135.2, 132.6, 127.3, 126.5, 121.2,106.8, 87.7, 80.3, 47.4, 37.8, 30.9, 30.6; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ68.3. Elemental analysis, found: C, 68.81; H, 6.44; Cl, 4.57; P, 3.25;(theoretical C, 69.06; H, 6.12; Cl, 3.85; P, 3.36).

Pd(π-2-crotyl)(QPhos)Cl

[Pd(π-2-crotyl)Cl]₂ (200 mg, 0.51 mmol); QPhos (798 mg, 1.12 mmol); THF(5 mL); 18 hrs. The complex was obtained as a pink solid (788 mg, 85%);¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.19-6.98 (m, 25H, H—Ar), 5.27 (br s, 1H,Cp-H), 4.93 (br s, 1H, Cp-H), 4.65 (dd, J 6.4, 2.8, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂),4.55 (br s, 2H, Cp-H), 3.84 (d, J 2.8, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 3.77 (d, J8.4, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 2.68 (s, 1H, CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 1.94 (s, 3H,CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂), 1.18 (d, J 14.0, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃), 1.13 (d, J 14.0, 9H,PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 134.5, 131.9, 128.6, 126.7, 126.6,125.9, 87.1, 79.4, 57.2, 30.0, 29.9, 29.6, 29.5, 21.8; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃,162 MHz): δ 62.0. Elemental analysis, found: C, 69.59; H, 6.23; Cl,3.41; P, 3.42; (theoretical C, 68.81; H, 6.00; Cl, 3.91; P, 3.41).

Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl

[Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ (2.0 mmol); QPhos (4.4 mmol); THF (45 mL); 18 hrs. Theproduct was obtained as a pink solid (3.2 g, 90%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400MHz): δ 7.17-7.01 (m, 25H, {tilde over ( )} C₆H₅), 5.46-5.36 (m, 1H,CH₂═CH—CH₂), 5.33 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 5.08 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 4.83 (t, J6.8, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 4.56 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 4.54 (br s, 1H, Fe—H), 4.04(d, J 4.8, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.87 (dd, J 13.6, 8.4, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 2.78 (d,J 12.4, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 1.17 (d, J 14.0, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100MHz): δ 135.2, 132.7, 132.5, 132.1, 127.3, 126.5, 114.2, 87.8, 83.5,79.7, 67.1, 57.5, 37.8, 30.5; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 61.8.Elemental analysis, found: C, 68.40; H, 6.00; Cl, 3.83; P, 3.42;(theoretical C, 68.54; H, 5.87; Cl, 3.97; P, 3.47).

Single crystals of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl were obtained by slow diffusion ofdiethyl ether into a CH₂Cl₂ solution (see FIG. 3).

The X-ray structures of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (seeFIG. 2) are different in terms of the opposite orientation of thehalide, presumably due to the steric effect of the Me group on the3-position of the allyl in Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.

Pd(π-allyl)(Amphos)Cl

[Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ (311 mg, 0.85 mmol); Amphos (496 mg, 1.87 mmol); THF(17 mL); 18 hrs. Product obtained as a yellow solid (727 mg, 96%); ¹HNMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.50 (app. t, J 8.8, 2H, H—Ar), 6.65 (d, J 8.0,2H, H—Ar), 5.50 (heptet, J 7.2, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 4.63 (dt, J 6.8, 2.0,1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.69 (dd, J 13.2, 9.2, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.39 (d, J 6.0,1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.01 (s, 6H, N(CH₃)₂), 2.68 (d, J 12.0, 1H CH₂═CH—CH₂),1.47 (d, J 14.0, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃), 1.39 (d, J 14.0, 9H, PC(CH₃)₃); ¹³C(CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 150.9, 136.7, 136.6, 116.9, 116.6, 115.2, 110.4,110.3, 80.7, 80.4, 58.8, 39.9, 36.0, 30.6, 29.9; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162MHz): δ 61.9. Elemental analysis, found: C, 51.44; H, 7.51; Cl, 7.54; P,6.94; (theoretical C, 50.90; H, 7.42; Cl, 7.91; P, 6.91).

Pd(π-crotyl)(Amphos)Cl

[Pd(crotyl)Cl]₂ (132 mg, 0.34 mmol); P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄) (180 mg, 0.68mmol); THF (3.7 mL); 90 min. Product obtained as a yellow solid (263 mg,85%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.52 (t, J 8.8, 2H), 6.65 (d, J 8.0,2H), 5.25-5.17 (m, 1H), 4.40-4.29 (m, 1H), 3.21-3.19 (m, 1H), 3.00 (s,3H), 2.47 (d, J 11.6, 1H), 1.77 (dd, J 8.4, 6.4, 3H), 1.44 (d, J 13.6,9H), 1.38 (d, J 13.6, 9H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 150.9, 149.6, 136.9,136.7, 117.1, 116.8, 114.1, 110.3, 99.8, 99.6, 53.5, 40.0, 35.8, 30.6,29.9, 17.4; ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 65.5; Elemental analysis, found:C, 51.93; H, 7.54; N, 2.84; P, 6.58; (theoretical C, 51.96; H, 7.63; N,3.03; P, 6.70).

Pd(π-allyl)(Pt-Bu₂Ph)Cl

[Pd(π-allyl)Cl]₂ (100 mg, 0.27 mmol); Pt-Bu₂Ph.HBF₄ (169 mg, 0.55 mmol);toluene (1.5 mL), 18 hrs. The product was obtained as a yellow solid(217 mg, 98%); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.90-7.68 (m, 5H, H—Ar),5.51-5.42 (m, 1H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 4.12 (d, J 6.4, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 3.05 (d,J 12.0, 2H, CH₂═CH—CH₂), 1.55 (d, J 16.8, PPh(CH₃)₂); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100MHz): δ 135.0, 130.5, 127.4, 116.0, 115.3, 111.2, 63.0, 34.4, 28.0; ³¹PNMR (CDCl₃, 162 MHz): δ 44.4.

Example 2 General Procedure for the Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling Reaction

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOtBu and aryl halide,if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen threetimes. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and theamine in toluene was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirredunder nitrogen at the indicated temperature for the indicated time, thenthe mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash columnchromatography (EtOAc/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

The relative activities of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosClwere explored in a model C—N coupling reaction of 4-bromoanisole withN-methylaniline at room temperature (see Tables 1 and 2).

TABLE 1 Optimization and Activities of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl andPd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.^(a)

toluene time catalyst (mL) T (° C.) (hrs) conversion^(b) (%)Pd(π-allyl)QphosCl (1.0 mol %) 4.0 25 6 97 Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0 mol%) 4.0 25 3 100 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol %) 4.0 25 23 54Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol %) 4.0 25 5 100 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol%) 2.0 25 7 93 Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5 mol %) 2.0 25 1 100^(a)4-bromoanisole (1.6 mmol), N-methylaniline (2.0 mmol), NaOt-Bu (2.4mmol) ^(b)GC/MS conversion.

Pd(allyl)QPhosCl on comparison with Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl at a lowerconcentration (0.5 mol %) gave 54% conversion after 23 hours vs 100% at5 hours of reaction time. However, by keeping the catalyst loadings ofPd(allyl)QPhosCL at 0.5 mol % while increasing the concentration from0.4 to 0.8M, 93% conversion was observed within 7 hours. The catalystPd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl gave 100% conversion to the product after 1 hour,demonstrating its superiority.

TABLE 2 Comparison of the Relative Activities of Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl andPd(π- crotyl)QPhosCl.^(a)

time Ar—X amine T (° C.) catalyst (hrs) conversion^(b) (%)

50 50 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl Pd(π-crotyl)OPhosCl 6.5 2  97 100

100 100 Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl Pd(π-crotyl)OPhosCl 0.6 0.6  99  99

Example 3 General Procedure for the Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling Reaction

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOtBu and aryl halide,if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen threetimes. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and theamine in toluene was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirredunder nitrogen at the indicated temperature for the indicated time, thenthe mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash columnchromatography (EtOAc/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

TABLE 3 Reaction of 4-bromoanisole and N-methylaniline with variouscomplexes

catalyst (mol %) T (° C.) time (hrs) Conversion^(a) (%) Pd(allyl)QPhosCl(1.0) 25 6 97 (96) Pd(allyl)P^(t)Bu₂PhCl (1.0) 25 22 8 (8)Pd(allyl)AmPhosCl (1.0) 25 22 18   Pd(1-crotyl)AmPhosCl (1.0) 25 22 95  Pd(prenyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 6 100 (99)  Pd(prenyl)QPhosCl (0.5) 25 22100    Pd(cinnamyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 22 81 (66) Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0)25 3 100 (99)  Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5) 25 18 99   Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl(0.1) 25 18 95   Pd(2-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0) 25 18 62   ^(a)GC/MSconversion. Isolated yield in parentheses

In order to get an idea of the relative activities of the presentcatalysts, a C—N coupling reaction of 4-bromoanisole withN-methylaniline at room temperature was carried out. At 1 mol %palladium loading, the Q-Phos based catalysts Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl,Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl and Pd(π-prenyl)QPhosCl all provided the productwith conversions greater than 90% within 3-18 hours. ThePd(crotyl)QPhosCl complex gave the desired product in the highestconversion even at 0.1 mol % palladium loading, whilePd(π-prenyl)QPhosCl gave the second highest activity.Pd(π-1-crotyl)AmphosCl resulted in 95% conversion to the product with 22hours of reaction time.

Example 4 Comparison of In Situ and Commercially Available Catalysts inC—N Coupling

A comparison of in situ and commercially available catalysts andcatalytic systems in a C—N coupling reaction was carried out. In thisreaction, N-methylaniline was coupled with 4-bromoanisole to giveN-(4-bromophenyl)-N-methyl-phenylamine under the conditions set out inTable 4.

TABLE 4 Reaction of 4-bromoanisole and N-methylaniline substrates^(a)catalyst (mol %) T (° C.) time (hrs) Conversion^(b) (%)

Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0) Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.5)Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.1) Pd(π-allyl)QPhosCl (1.0) Pd₂(dba)₃ (0.25)QPhos (0.5) 25 25 25 25 25  3 18 18  6 21  3 100   99^(c)  95   97   53 Pd-113 (0.25)^(d) 25 23  80  Pd-116 (0.5)^(e) 25 21  55  Nolan's cat.(0.5) 25   0  Pd(OAc)₂ (0.5) 25 21   0  XPhos (0.5) ^(f) Pd(OAc)₂ (0.5)25 23   0  QPhos (0.5) ^(a)amine (1.0 mmol), aryl halide (0.8 mmol),NaOtBu (1.2 mmol), toluene (2.0 mL) ^(b)GC/MS conversions ^(c)Average ofthree reactions ^(d)Pd-113 = [Pd(u-Br) ^(t)-Bu₃P)₂] ^(e)Pd-116 =^(t)Bu₃P-Pd-P^(t)Bu₃ ^(f) XPhos =2′,4′6′-triisopropylbiphenyl-2-dichlorohexylphosphine

Nolan's Catalyst

The Pd(1-crotyl)QPhos complex showed a superior activity to the othercatalytic systems with a 99% conversion at 0.5 mol % catalyst loadingand a 95% conversion at 0.1 mol % loading. The Pd(allyl)QPhosCl complexalso provided the desired product with a good conversion.

Pd-113 showed good activity, however, the conversion in this case waslower than that of Pd(1-crotyl)QPhos and Pd(allyl)QPhosCl. In addition,Pd-113 is air- and moisture sensitive and has to be stored under anitrogen atmosphere.

Example 5 Substrate Scope of C—N Coupling

General Procedure for the Buchwald-Hartwig Coupling Reaction

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOt-Bu and aryl halide,if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen threetimes. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and theamine in toluene was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirredunder nitrogen at the indicated temperature and time (see Tables incommunication). The crude mixture was absorbed onto silica gel (MerckSilica Gel 60 (0.040-0.063 mm)) and purified by flash columnchromatography (MTBE/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

TABLE 5 C—N Bond Formation Mediated by 0.5 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl^(a)

time Ar—X amine X T ° C. (h) product (%)

Br 110 20  

 65^(b)

Br Cl  25 100  1.5  0.5

 96^(c) 95

Br Cl  50 100 16    2.5

98 96

NHPh₂ Br Cl  25 100  3    3  

 84^(d)  68^(d)

Br  50  2  

91

Br Cl I  25 100  25  1    1   16  

93 98  95^(e)

Br  50  3  

88

Br  25  1  

97

Br Cl  50 100  2.5 21  

96  87^(f)

Br Cl  50 100 22    2.5

91 83

Cl  80  3  

 91^(c)

Br  80  4  

 93^(c)

Br Cl 100 100  1    1  

 83^(g)  92^(h)

Br 100  2  

 91^(g) ^(a)aryl halide (1.6 mmol), amine (2.0 mmol), NaOt—Bu (2.4mmol), toluene (2.0 mL) ^(b)Using 2 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl ^(c)Using 1mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl ^(d)NMR yield of isolated mixture of excessdiphenylamine and desired product ^(g)Unoptimized reaction time^(f)GC/MS conversion ^(g)Using 0.05 mol % Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl ^(h)Using0.1 mol % Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.

Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl has been evaluated in several substrates for C—Ncoupling using a range of aryl halides with both primary and secondaryamines (Table 5). The inventors have also demonstrated a number ofexamples of a chemoselective amination reaction of an aryl bromide inthe presence of a chloride functionality. This was achieved by virtue ofthe fact that the aryl bromides required lower reaction temperaturesthan the aryl chlorides. In addition, Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl effected theamination of an aryl iodide, a substrate which has been considered to bea problematic coupling partner in Pd catalysed C—N bond formationprocesses.

The order of reactivity in aminations mediated by Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosClappears to be the reverse to that observed in conventional Pd mediatedcoupling reactions. In this respect, electronrich aryl halides areaminated in higher yields at shorter reaction times than theelectron-deficient electrophiles. Noteworthy is the amination of a veryelectron-rich tris-methoxybromobenzene in 65% yield.

As can be seen from Table 6, heterocyclic halides have also beensuccessfully coupled.

TABLE 6 C—N Bond Formation using Heterocyclic Halides Mediated by 2 mol% Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl^(a)

Ar—X amine X T ° C. time (h) product yield(%)

Br Cl 100 100  3.5  3.5

94 86

Br Cl 100 100  2    2.5

79 88

Br  50 3h

83

Br Br Cl 100  25 100  3   18    3  

90  76^(b) 57

Br 25 20  

44 ^(a)aryl halide (1.6 mmol), amine (2.0 mmol), NaOt—Bu (2.4 mmol),toluene (2.0 mL) ^(b)Isolated yield using 1 mol % Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl.Unreacted aryl bromide could be detected by TLC before purification,indicating an incomplete reaction.

Pyridine-, pyrimidine- and thiophene halides gave C—N coupled productsin good yields at 100° C. The reaction using 3-bromothiophene has beendemonstrated at room temperature.

Experimental Data for the Products Detailed in Tables 5 and 62-CO₂Me-3′,4′,5-trimethoxy-diphenylamine

Methyl anthranilate (390 μL, 3.0 mmol); 5-bromo-1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene(594 mg, 2.3 mmol); NaOtBu (345 mg, 3.6 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (43.5mg, 0.06 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (5.0 mL). The general procedureafforded the title compound as an off-white solid (462 mg, 65%); ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 9.39 (br s, 1H), 7.96 (dd, J 4.4, 1.6, 1H), 7.33(dd, J 6.8, 1.6, 1H), 7.21 (d, J 8.4, 1H), 6.73 (dd, J 8.0, 0.8, 1H),6.49 (s, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.83 (s, 6H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100MHz): δ 169.0, 153.8, 148.4, 136.6, 134.6, 134.2, 131.6, 116.9, 114.1,111.6, 100.7, 61.0, 56.1, 51.8; Elemental analysis, found: C, 64.30; H,6.06; N, 4.41; (theoretical: C, 64.34; H, 6.03; N, 4.41).

N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-N-(p-methoxy)amine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol);2,6-diisopropylaniline (377 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (X═Br; 14.4 mg, 0.016 mmol, 1.0 mol %) orPd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (X═Cl; 7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in 96% yield (434mg; X═Br) and 95% yield (429 mg; X═Cl); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ7.29-7.19 (m, 3H), 6.73 (d, J 6.8, 2H), 6.44 (d, J 6.8, 2H), 4.95 (br s,1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.19 (heptet, J 6.8, 2H), 1.14 (d, J 7.2, 12H); ¹³C(CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 152.2, 147.1, 142.2, 136.0, 126.7, 123.8, 115.0,114.2, 55.7, 28.0, 23.8; Elemental analysis, found: C, 80.95; H, 9.05;N, 5.03; (theoretical: C, 80.52; H, 8.89; N, 4.94).

N-(4-methoxyphenyl)morpholine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol);morpholine (175 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL).The general procedure afforded the title compound in 98% yield (302 mg;X═Br) and 96% yield (297 mg; X═Cl).

N-(4-methoxyphenyl)diphenylamine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol);diphenylaniline (338 mg, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL).The general procedure afforded the title compound in 84% yield (370 mg;X═Br) and 68% yield (298 mg; X═Cl).

4-Methoxydiphenylamine

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu(230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %);toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compound in91% yield (288 mg).

N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-methylaniline

4-bromoanisole (200 μL, 1.6 mmol), 4-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol) or4-iodoanisole (374 mg, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol);NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the titlecompound in 93% yield (315 mg; X═Br), 98% yield (335 mg; X═Cl) and 95%yield (325 mg; X═I).

4-chloro-2-methyldiphenyl-methylamine

2-bromo-5-chlorotoluene (213 μL, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded thetitle compound in 88% yield (324 mg); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.27(d, J 2.0, 1H), 7.21-7.16 (m, 3H), 7.07 (d, J 8.4, 1 H), 6.73 (t, J 7.2,1H), 6.53 (d, J 8.0, 2H), 3.19 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100MHz) δ 146.5, 143.1, 136.4, 129.1, 128.9, 127.2, 126.7, 125.3, 114.9,110.7, 36.8, 15.5; Elemental analysis, found: C, 72.31; H, 6.13; N,6.05; (theoretical: C, 72.57; H, 6.09; N, 6.04).

3-chloro-4-methyldi phenyl-methylamine

4-bromo-2-chlorotoluene (217 μL, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded thetitle compound in 97% yield (358 mg); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ7.30-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.08 (d, J 8.4, 1H), 7.02-6.96 (m, 4H), 6.79 (dd, J8.4, 2.4, 1H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ148.7, 148.1, 134.7, 131.2, 129.4, 128.2, 121.9, 121.0, 120.3, 118.5,40.4, 19.2; Elemental analysis, found: C, 72.01; H, 6.04; N, 5.98;(theoretical: C, 72.57; H, 6.09; N, 6.04).

N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-N-(o-tolyl)amine

2-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol) or 2-chlorotoluene (168 μL, 1.6 mmol);2,6-diisopropylaniline (377 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL).The general procedure afforded the title compound in 96% yield (410 mg;X═Br) and 87% conversion (X═Cl).

2-Methyldiphenylamine

2-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol) or 2-chlorotoluene (168 μL, 1.6 mmol);aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (7.2 mg, 0.008 mmol, 0.5 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL).The general procedure afforded the title compound in 91% yield (267 mg;X═Br) and 83% yield (242 mg; X═Cl).

3-Methoxydiphenylamine

3-chloroanisole (196 μL, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu(230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (14.4 mg, 0.016 mmol, 1.0 mol%); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compoundas a white solid in 91% yield (290 mg).

4-Cyanodiphenylamine

4-bromobenzonitrile (292 mg, 1.6 mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol);NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (14.4 mg, 0.016 mmol, 1.0mol %); toluene (2.0 mL). The general procedure afforded the titlecompound as an off-white solid (288 mg, 93%).

2-aniline-pyridine

2-bromopyridine (153 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 2-chloropyridine (151 μL, 1.6mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg, 0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL).The general procedure afforded the title compound in 94% yield (257 mg;X═Br) and 86% yield (235 mg; X═Cl): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.20 (d,J 4.0, 1H), 7.50-7.46 (m, 1H), 7.33 (d, J 4.0, 4H), 7.08-7.02 (m, 2H),6.89 (d, J 8.4, 1H), 6.74-6.71 (m, 1H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 156.1,148.4, 140.6, 137.7, 132.5, 129.3, 122.8, 120.7, 120.4, 115.0, 108.2;Elemental analysis, found: C, 77.11; H, 5.99; N, 16.20; (theoretical: C,77.62; H, 5.92; N, 16.46).

3-aniline-pyridine

3-bromopyridine (154 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 3-chloropyridine (152 μL, 1.6mmol); aniline (182 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg, 0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL).The general procedure afforded the title compound in 79% yield (215 mg;X═Br) and 88% yield (239 mg; X═Cl): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.38 (d,J 2.0, 1H), 8.15 (d, J 4.0, 1H), 7.42 (d, J 7.2, 1H), 7.30 (t, J 7.6,2H), 7.16 (dd, J 8.0, 4.4, 1H), 7.08 (d, J 8.0, 2H), 6.99 (t, J 7.2,1H), 6.01 (br s, 1H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 142.0, 141.8, 140.1,139.9, 129.6, 123.8, 123.4, 122.0, 118.3; Elemental analysis, found: C,77.19; H, 6.02; N, 15.96; (theoretical: C, 77.62; H, 5.92; N, 16.46).

2-N-Methylaniline-pyrimidine

2-bromopyrimidine (127 mg, 0.8 mmol); N-methylaniline (109 μL, 1.0mmol); NaOtBu (115 mg, 1.2 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (14.4 mg, 0.016mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (1.0 mL). The general procedure afforded thetitle compound in 83% yield (123 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 8.34(d, J 4.4, 2H), 7.42 (t, J 8.0, 2H), 7.32 (d, J 7.6, 2H), 7.24-7.22 (m,1H), 6.57 (t, J 4.8, 1H), 3.53 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 162.0,157.7, 145.5, 129.2, 126.6, 125.9, 110.8, 38.7; Elemental analysis,found: C, 71.33; H, 6.08; N, 22.51; (theoretical: C, 71.33; H, 5.99; N,22.69).

2-(N-Methyl-N-phenylamino)thiophene

3-bromothiophene (150 μL, 1.6 mmol) or 3-chlorothiophene (149 μL, 1.6mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol);Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg, 0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL).The general procedure afforded the title compound in 90% yield (272 mg;X═Br) and 57% yield (172 mg; X═Cl): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.27-7.20(m, 3H); 7.01 (d, J 7.6, 2H), 6.91 (t, J 7.6, 1H), 6.87 (dd, J 5.2, 1.6,1H), 6.57 (dd, J 3.2, 1.2, 1H), 3.29 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz) δ149.3, 148.4, 129.1, 124.9, 123.3, 120.7, 118.8, 107.8, 41.0; Elementalanalysis, found: C, 70.13; H, 5.84; N, 7.32; (theoretical: C, 69.80; H,5.86; N, 7.40).

2-Chloro-5-N-methylaniline-thiophene

2-bromo-5-chlorothiophene (175 μL, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL,2.0 mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (28.8 mg,0.032 mmol, 2.0 mol %); toluene (2.0 mL); 25° C.; 20 hrs. The generalprocedure afforded the title compound as an off-white oil in 44% yield(155 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.26-7.23 (m, 2H), 6.94-6.88 (m,3H), 6.70 (d, J 4.0, 1H), 6.44 (d, J 4.0, 1H), 3.28 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃,100 MHz): δ 151.3, 148.8, 129.1, 124.6, 123.3, 120.3, 119.1, 116.1,41.8; Elemental analysis, found: C, 59.28; H, 4.54; N, 6.29;(theoretical: C, 59.05; H, 4.51; N, 6.26).

4-methyldiphenyl-methylamine

4-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol); N-methylaniline (217 μL, 2.0 mmol);NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.7 mg, 0.0008, 0.05 mol%); toluene (0.5 mL). The general procedure afforded the title compoundin 83% yield (261 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.24-7.20 (m, 2H),7.11 (d, J 8.4, 2H), 7.01-6.97 (m, 2H), 6.91 (app. d, J 7.6, 2H), 6.86(app. t, J 7.6, 1H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ149.4, 146.6, 132.1, 130.0, 129.1, 122.6, 119.8, 118.2, 40.4, 20.8;Elemental analysis, found: C, 85.25; H, 7.75; N, 7.29; (theoretical: C,85.24; H, 7.66; N, 7.10).

N-4-toluene-2,6-diisopropylaniline

4-bromotoluene (274 mg, 1.6 mmol); 2,6-diisopropylaniline (377 μL, 2.0mmol); NaOtBu (230 mg, 2.4 mmol); Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.7 mg, 0.0008,0.05 mol %); toluene (0.5 mL). The general procedure afforded the titlecompound in 91% yield (387 mg): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ 7.30-7.25 (m,1H), 7.22-7.19 (m, 2H), 6.94 (d, J 8.0, 2H), 6.39 (d, J 8.4, 2H), 5.02(br s, 1H), 3.19 (heptet, J 6.8, 2H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 1.13 (d, J 6.8,12H); ¹³C (CDCl₃, 100 MHz): δ 147.4, 145.9, 135.6, 129.8, 127.0, 126.9,123.9, 113.1, 28.2, 23.9, 20.5; Elemental analysis, found: C, 85.22; H,9.45; N, 5.29; (theoretical: C, 85.34; H, 9.42; N, 5.24).

Example 6 N-Arylations at Low Catalyst Loadings of Pd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl

The arylation of amines at lower catalyst loadings were evaluated (Table7) and, in this respect, reactions carried out with 0.05 or 0.1 mol %loading were successfully achieved.

TABLE 7 N-Arylations at Low Catalyst Loadings ofPd(π-crotyl)QPhosCl.^(a)

catalyst loading yield Ar—X amine X (mol %) product (%)

Br Cl 0.05, 1 h 0.10, 1 h

83 92

Cl Cl  0.05, 16 hrs   0.1, 2 hrs

 90^(b) 95

Br   0.05, 2 hrs

91 ^(a)aryl halide (1.6 mmol), amine (2.0 mmol), NaOt—Bu (2.4 mmol),toluene (0.5 mL) ^(b)GC/MS conversion.

See Example 5 for the experimental data for the products listed in Table7

Example 7 Synthesis of the Toddaliopsin Framework

The synthesis of the toddaliopsin framework was realised by implementinga Pd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl catalysed aryl amination step incorporating avery electronrich aryl bromide. As can be seen, the C—N couplingreaction proceeded smoothly to provide the required product in 65%yield.

Example 8 General Procedure for the α-Arylation Reaction of Aldehydes

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, Cs₂CO₃ and aryl halide,if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen threetimes. Subsequently, a solution of the aryl halide, if liquid, and thealdehyde in solvent were added. The resulting reaction mixture wasstirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature for the indicatedtime, then the mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified byflash column chromatography (EtOAc/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

Example 9 General Procedure for the α-Arylation of Ketones

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, NaOtBu and aryl halide,if solid, and the flask was evacuated and backfilled with nitrogen threetimes. Subsequently, the aryl halide (if liquid), followed by ketone andsolvent were added via syringe. The resulting reaction mixture wasstirred under nitrogen at the indicated temperature for 18 hours, thenthe mixture was absorbed onto silica gel and purified by flash columnchromatography (MTBE/40-60 petroleum ether eluent).

TABLE 8 α-arylation of ketones

catalyst (mol %) solvent T (° C.) time (hrs) Conversion^(a) (%)Pd(allyl)QPhosCl (1.0) THF 60 17 76 Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (1.0) THF 60 1799^(b) (85) Pd(1-crotyl)QPhosCl (0.25) THF 60 17 (90) Pd(dba)₂/QPhos(0.25) (Comparative) THF 60 17 (80) Pd(OAc)₂/QPhos (0.25) (Comparative)THF 60 17 (85) Pd-118 (0.25) (Comparative)^(c) THF 60 17 (64)^(a)Conversion using GC/MS. Isolated yield in parenthesis ^(b)Allstarting material consumed ^(c)Pd-118 =dichloro[1,1′-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)]ferrocene palladium (II)

It can be seen from the results in the above table that thePd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl precatalyst provided the best results in theα-arylation reaction. Moreover, in comparison with in situ generatedQPhos based catalysts, the preformed complexes exhibited comparable orsuperior activities.

Example 10 Substrate Scope for the α-Arylation of Ketones

It was demonstrated that the mono-arylation of propiophenone proceededsmoothly using a range of electronrich and -neutral aryl halides and thePd(π-1-crotyl)QPhosCl catalyst. Substituents were tolerated in theortho- and meta- as well as the para-position of the aryl moiety.

TABLE 9 Substrate scope for the α-arylation of ketones

X = Br 90% yield^(b) 76% yield^(a) 63% yield^(a) (0.25 mol %, 60° C.)(0.25 mol %, 60° C.) (0.25 mol %, 60° C.) X = Cl 82% yield 61% yield^(a)65% yield^(a) (1.0 mol %, 100° C.) (0.25 mol %, 100° C.) (1.0 mol %,100° C.)

X = Br 88% yield^(a) 99% yield^(a) (0.25 mol %, 60° C.) (1.0 mol %, 60°C.) ^(a)Product co-running with propiophenone. Yield given is NMR yieldfrom isolated mixture of product and propiophenone ^(b)Average yieldfrom 3 reactions

Example 11 α-Arylation of 1-Tetralone

General Procedure

A Schlenk flask was charged with Pd(X)LCl (0.05 mol %, 0.001 mmol) andNaOt-Bu (365 mg, 3.8 mmol). The flask was evacuated and backfilled withnitrogen three times, then dioxane (2.0 ml), 4-chloroanisole (245 μL,2.0 mmol) and α-tetralone (266 μL, 2.0 mmol) were added. The reactionmixture was stirred for 16 hours, then an aliquot was removed foranalysis by GC/MS.

The activities of the π-allyl catalysts bearing the QPhos andP(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄) ligands were evaluated in the π-arylation of cyclicketone 1-tetralone. Pd(allyl)QPhosCl provided the product in 80%conversion after 3 hours reaction time, whereasPd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl gave 96% conversion after the same time(Table 10, entries 1 and 2). The product was isolated in 91% yield afteran overnight reaction using catalyst loading as low as 0.05 mol % ofPd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl (entry 3).

TABLE 10 α-Arylation of 1-Tetralone Using 0.05 mol % Pd Loading.^(a)

entry catalyst time (hours) conversion (%)^(b) 1 Pd(allyl)QPhosCl 3 80 2Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl 3 96 3 Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl22  100(91) ^(a)4-chloroanisole (2.0 mmol), 1-tetralone (2.0 mmol),NaOt—Bu (3.8 mmol), dioxane (2.0 mL). ^(b)GC/MS conversion. Average oftwo runs. Isolated yield in parenthesis.

Example 12 Suzuki Coupling Reactions

General Procedure for the Suzuki Reaction:

A Schlenk flask was charged with the catalyst, KOtBu (1.2 eq), boronicacid (1.1 eq) and aryl halide (1.0 eq), if solid, and the flask wasevacuated and backfilled with nitrogen three times. Subsequently, thearyl halide (if liquid) and solvent were added via syringe. Theresulting reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen at the indicatedtemperature, then the crude reaction mixture was analysed by GC/MS.

TABLE 11 Suzuki coupling reactions

X solvent C (M) loading (mol %) time (h) T (° C.) conversion (%)^(a) Brtoluene:H₂O (4:1) 0.8 0.01 20 100 100 Br toluene:H₂O (4:1) 0.8 1.0 1 25100 Cl toluene 0.27 1.0 20 80 68 ^(a)conversion into product, takinginto account deboronated product formed.

The high activity of Pd(crotyl)Q-PhosCl was subsequently demonstrated inthe sterically challenging Suzuki reaction of bromomesitylene and1-naphthalene boronic acid. This coupling could be carried out atambient temperature with 100% GC conversion and 86% isolated yieldwithin 45 minutes of the reaction time.

Example 13 Aryl Chlorides in Suzuki Coupling

Extending the scope of the substrates to aryl chlorides, the couplingproduct of 4-chloroanisole with 4-tert-butylbenzene boronic acid gave90% conversion (Table 12, entry 1) using the same reaction conditions asfor the aryl bromides, but at 80° C. The present inventors also decidedto investigate the base effect and the use of heterocyclic chloridesemploying the π-allyl catalysts in comparison with the use ofPdCl₂(P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄))₂ as reported by Guram (Guram et al, Org.Lett., 2006, 8, 1787). Substituting K₂CO₃ for KOt-Bu in the case of4-chloroanisole provided the coupling product in relatively lowconversions, using both Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl andPd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl (entries 2 and 3). However, employing2-chlorothiophene in the Suzuki reaction, it was found that the yield ofthe product was comparable to the Guram conditions forPdCl₂(P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄))₂ and the new Pd(allyl)P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)Cl (entries 4-5, 6-7, 8-9), demonstrating that aPd:L ratio of 1:1 was sufficient for an efficient reaction. Using thereaction conditions developed for the aryl bromides, 2-chlorothiophenewas coupled with 4-tert-butyl-benzene boronic acid to obtain 52% yield,with Pd(crotyl)QPhosCl catalyst (entry 10). The same reaction gave alower yield (33%) under the Guram conditions (entry 11). Forchloropyridine substrate, Pd(π-allyl)AmphosCl gave 73% yield (entry 13).

The described investigation of aryl chlorides in Suzuki couplingillustrates the importance of a careful choice of the catalyst and thereaction conditions to get the optimized yields.

TABLE 12 Aryl Chlorides in Suzuki Coupling.^(a)

yield Entry catalyst conditions RB(OH)₂ Ar—Cl (%)^(a) 1 1 mol %Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl A

 90^(b) 2 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl B

 38^(b) 3 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl B

 29^(b) 4     5^(c) 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl 1 mol % Pd-132 B

64     68 6     7^(c) 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl 1 mol % Pd-132 B

70     84 8     9^(c) 0.01 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl 0.01 mol % Pd-132 B

85     79 10 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl A

52 11 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) QPhosCl B

33 12 1 mol % Pd(1-crotyl) AmphosCl B

29 13 1 mol % Pd(allyl) AmphosCl B

73 ^(a)Conditions A: aryl chloride (1.6 mmol), boronic acid (1.76 mmol),KOt—Bu (1.92 mmol), toluene (1.8 mL), water (0.2 mL), 80° C. ConditionsB: aryl chloride (1.0 mmol), boronic acid (1.2 mmol), K₂CO₃ (2.0 mmol),toluene (5.0 mL), water (0.5 mL), 100° C. Isolated yield. ^(b)GC/MSconversion. ^(c)Pd-132; PdCl₂[P(t-Bu)₂(p-NMe₂C₆H₄)]₂.

In the Suzuki coupling reactions, the present inventors have been thefirst to demonstrate that K₂CO₃ can be used as the base in conjunctionwith π-allyl precatalysts.

1. A complex of formula (1):

wherein, M is palladium or nickel, R₁ and R₂ are independently organicgroups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ringstructure with the phosphorus atom, R₃ is selected from the groupconsisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted andunsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted and unsubstitutedmetallocenyl, R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, n is 0,1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, and X is an anionic ligand.
 2. A complex according toclaim 1, wherein M is palladium.
 3. A complex according to claim 1,wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consistingof substituted and unsubstituted straight-chain alkyl, substituted andunsubstituted branched-chain alkyl, substituted and unsubstitutedcycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, and substituted andunsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms are selected from thegroup consisting of sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen.
 4. A complex accordingto claim 1, wherein R₃ is phenyl or dimethylaminophenyl.
 5. A complexaccording to claim 1, wherein the substituted or unsubstitutedmetallocenyl has a structure of formula (2):

wherein, R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently organic groups having 1-20 carbonatoms, p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or
 5. 6. A complexaccording to claim 5, wherein R₁₀ is a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted(alkyl)HN—, substituted or unsubstituted (dialkyl)N—, substituted orunsubstituted (dialkyl)amino-alkyl or substituted or unsubstitutedalkoxyalkyl.
 7. A complex according to claim 5, wherein R₁₁ is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl.8. A complex according to 5, wherein the metallocenyl group has astructure of formula (3):

wherein R₁₁ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, and q is 0, 1,2, 3, 4 or
 5. 9. A complex according to claim 5, wherein R₁₁ is selectedfrom the group consisting of phenyl, napthyl, methoxyphenyl, halophenyl,methylphenyl and F₃C-phenyl, and q is 4 or
 5. 10. A complex according toclaim 5, wherein R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl,methoxyphenyl, methylphenyl and F₃C-phenyl, and q is 4 or
 5. 11. Acomplex according to claim 5, wherein the metallocenyl group has astructure of formula (4):


12. A complex according to claim 1, wherein R₄ is selected from thegroup consisting of substituted and unsubstituted straight-chain alkyl,substituted and unsubstituted branched-chain alkyl, substituted andunsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, andsubstituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroatoms areselected from the group consisting of sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen.
 13. Acomplex according to claim 1, wherein X is a halo group.
 14. A complexaccording to claim 1, wherein the complex of formula (1) is selectedfrom the group consisting of:


15. A method for the preparation of a complex of formula (1),

comprising the step of reacting a complex of formula (5) with PR₁R₂R₃,

wherein, M is palladium or nickel, R₁ and R₂ are independently organicgroups having 1-20 carbon atoms, or R₁ and R₂ are linked to form a ringstructure with the phosphorus atom, R₃ is selected from the groupconsisting of substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted andunsubstituted heteroaryl, and substituted and unsubstitutedmetallocenyl, R₄ is an organic group having 1-20 carbon atoms, n is 0,1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, X is an anionic ligand.
 16. (canceled)
 17. A method forcarrying out a carbon-carbon coupling reaction or a carbon-nitrogencoupling reaction in the presence of a catalyst, the method comprisingusing a complex of formula (1) according to claim 1 as the catalyst.